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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 7, spearheaded the regional observance of the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, 2025, at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero in her inspirational message. DSWD 7 Protective Services Division Chief Emma F. Patalinghug and Director Lucero hand in a certificate of appreciation to DOLE RO 7 Regional Director Atty. Roy Buenafe.

Anchored on the theme “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mag-aaral ang Bata, Hindi Manggagawa,” the two agencies delivered a strong advocacy message—emphasizing the importance of sending children to school and keeping them out of the workforce.

DSWD’s flagship program against child labor, SHIELD—Strategic Help Desks for Information, Education, Livelihood and Development Interventions, which serves as DSWD’s comprehensive response to the issue of child labor, implemented the activity.

In her keynote message, DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero underscored the value of preserving childhood. “Children should not be working—they should be enjoying their formative years. They must be engaged in play and learning guided by values that will shape them into responsible individuals,” she emphasized.

DOLE RO-7 Regional Director Atty. Roy Buenafe echoed this sentiment, highlighting the government’s commitment to child protection: “Let us strengthen our region, the Central Visayas, as a healthy place for the growth and well-being of our children.”

One of the highlights of the event was the “Draw Your Dreams” activity, where former child laborers, World Vision beneficiaries, and selected residents of the Home for Girls (HFG) expressed their aspirations through art. The HFG, operated by DSWD, provides temporary shelter and care for girl children who are survivors of abuse, trafficking, and child labor.

The Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc. also contributed to the celebration through a spoken poetry performance by its Peer Support Group—Batang Sugbuanon and CebuKids—which shares the rights of children and youth.

The event concluded with the distribution of gifts to rescued child laborers and other participating children, led by the two regional directors. DSWD 7 awarded certificates of appreciation to government agencies in recognition of their efforts in addressing child labor.

Also present were members of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children, representatives from Social Welfare and Development Agencies, and partner local government units.

Residents of the Home for Girls and beneficiaries of World Vision participate in the interactive activity titled “Draw Your Dreams.”

DOLE RO 7 has been profiling child laborers across the region. DSWD, through the SHIELD program, has provided them with educational grants worth Php 5,000 each and also rolled out capacity-building initiatives for community leaders and parents to help prevent child labor at the grassroots level.

The DSWD also encourages the public to report any cases of child rights violations—including child labor—through the Makabata Helpline 1383, one of DSWD’s mechanisms for child protection. ###